The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-15
HEAD OFTHT ROMAN CHURCH
The Life Of Leo XIII, Said To Be Prepared
from Data Furnished by Himself,
And Put Into Book Form by Bernard 0'Reilly
The Rome of To Day-Advance Sheets of
Most Important Set Of Memoirs.
Now York Herald.

Won Ranke, the great scholar who has so late
~ passed away; Artaud Dc Monitor and others
have written volumiuousy of the Roman poniifs,
to the instruction of the world and the edifica-
tion of the church; but memoir Of himself from
the hand of reigning Pope is thing SO IN
usual, If not so unprecedented, to insure forlt
profound attention
Such work, as we are assured, is now before
us Let us hasten to say that 1t is not yet puo-
lished and will not be for some weeks. BnS the
advance sheets that have come into our hands
suffice to enable US to give the readers OF the
Herald clear idea of what it is. perhaps, not
too much to call, and what certainly millions OF
Catholics will consider the most important book
of our time. The title page OF the work reads as
follows: Life of Leo XIII; from authentic
memoir, furnished by his order, written with
the announcement, appreciation and blessing of
His Holiness, the Pope. By Bernard O'Reiy.
.. d., L. D. (Laval).'
We have spoken of this book as if it were
written by the Pope himself, while that credit
assigned by the title page to Dr. OReiy.
let us therefore hasten to disavow any purpose
to deny to DR.. OReilly any honor that justly
pertains to him, and to explain that our obserya-
ton respecting the original authorship of at
on the assurance of a gentleman who has had
unsurpassed access TO authentic information
The subject
The biography is inscribed to Cardinal Glib
oons of Baltimore, and is preceded by dedica-
sorry epstle from the author and a letter of ac-
ceptance from the preate. Then follows a let
ter from Cardinal Parocchi, vicar of the Pope,
10 the publisher, Mr.. Charles l.. Webster
pressing, in the name of the Holy Father, high
hot ioo nf vnrtr A LATTE IF
ensues from Archbishop Corrigan, of New York,
and another from Cardinal Simeon Project of
the Propaganda. Then comes an address, to his
friends in America and elsewhere, from Dr.
OReily and finally the authors preface, from
which append some extracts:
'Theiife of Leo XIII has been devoted. next
10 the divine interests of souls. to the culture
and advancement of letters and science What
he effected by his generous patronage and bright
example ID Perugia. and wherever he could eXer
else influence, the following chapters will fully
relate. What he has effected in Rome and
throughout the Catholic world during his pom
tfcate shall also record there
'Nor has the world wide fame of Leo XIII as
scholar failed to help him less wonderfully
than his diplomatic skill toward winning the
confidence of governments and peoples. 1t is
his reputation for superhuman prudence, for
moderation and for the most varied learning
that has enabled him to restore friendly rela
tons between the Holy See and the most hostile
non-Catholic powers; that has helped him to pre-
vent open rupture with more than one Cabi-
net; that has caused him to be chosen arbi-
traitor between Germany and Spain, and that
has gained him the happiness of concluding
with Portugal concordat, healing the inyeter
ate and complicated grievances arising out or the
Portuguese protectorate over the East Indian
churches.
Enlightened public opinion, founded on the
exquisite tact shown by the Pontff in dealing
with ecclesiastical matters in Great Britain. de-
mands even now that British statesmen shall
treat the Holy See with the same Difference and
thOSa al Rerli There
mighty questions threatening the internal peace
OF the three kingdoms, which the far seeing
wisdom of the head of ChristeDdom and the in
yiolable sense OF justice of the common parent
Of Christians can alone solve satisfactorily and
once for all.
''In this connection we cannot regard as with
ont proviiential purpose the fact that Leo
XIII is the only Pope who, since the reign of
Henry VIII, has set foot the shores of Eng
land, and studied there the great social, politi-
cal and religious problems the solution of
which depend the future of civilization"
This foreshadows the general purport Of the
remarkable text that follows. 1t will naturally
strike thoughtful persons. of whatever religious
belief, that Leo XIII, in authorizing such book
and permitting it's publication with it's accom-
panying copious and authoritative vouchers,
must have been animated by very strong mo-
tives. This is further implied by the means
adopted to give it wide and concurrent circula-
tion 1t is to be published at the same time in
England, France, Germany, Italy. Spain and
Holland, in the various tongues of those coun-
tries, as we'll as in the United States. 1t is
however to be observed that the selection Of
American priest as tho ostensible author and the
references to the United States in the text, sug-
eest that the influence of the book in the West.
ern world has been especially borne in mind
As an illustration We quote passage tp 4l4l
"'The problem of Irish misery, misrule and
unrest was forced upon the attention of Leo
XIII from the beginning of his pontfcate. AS
the common father of Catholic Chrstendom, the
teacher guide and judge of all things spiritual;
Of ~ linda vyh ha pScien NEE
or regard tho performance of dnty in the polit-
ical as we'll as the purely religious order the
Pope had to form his judgment on the right and
reason there was in the persistent claims OF Ire
land for Justice.
LEO XIII is not one incapable of grasping the
enormous power Of the two great English speak
ing peoples at the present time-those, namely,
Of the British empire and OF the great republic
of the United States. He had we'll considered
the fact that, although the great majority OF
English speaking folk not Catholics, they
have, nevertheless. preserved in their home life
= and their whole conduct q deep-seated religious
sense This pervades all their institutions per
vades, in very trnth, the framework of society
among them like the animating principle. This
religious spirit, Inherited from so many genera
tions is, and the Pontiff knows it well, thai
which, it is hoped, will reign among the civilized
nations of the coming era
"In the United States there Is, in the relation
between the Catholic millions, the federal gov
eminent and the Protestant majority, no exist
ing cause of dissatisfaction or discomfort TIL,
Catholic religion and it's institutions exist sid
by side with other denominations on the solit
ground Of the common law, protected il
its free growth and development by thu
common magistrate and the liberty.lovinc spiri
of the people. There are no more devoted citi
zens of the Union than the Catholics Of ever,
race. who thrive and prosper beneath the Con
stitutiop.
Gould we rely fully on the innate good sens
Of the American people and on that habitua
reverence for God and religion which has bee
so far their just pride and glory there nigh
seem comparatively little danger of the genera
diffusion of those wild theories which reject @
ignore revelation, undermine morality aud en-
mfr flr hn han, Cad l.